First published 2025 by Sitric Books, An imprint of The Lilliput Press Ltd.
62–63 Sitric Road, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7, Ireland
www.lilliputpress.ie
Text & Image copyright © Patrick Kirk, 2025
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.
A CIP record for this title is available from The British Library.
Paperback ISBN 978 1 84351 957 7
eBook ISBN 978 1 84351 982 9
Design and typesetting by Sarah McCoy
Set in 8 pt on 13 pt Neometric
Printed and bound in Scotland by Bell & Bain
Introduction
‘What’s the best coffee shop in Dublin?’ The number of times I get asked this question would amaze you. I always try to give an honest answer, but dozens of spaces come to mind all at once, and the more you learn about the passionate people behind each of them, the harder this question is to answer. Each café has its own unique and compelling reason to love it. So instead of choosing just one, I’ve decided to bring my top choices together in one place, on a level(ish) playing field, to let you decide for yourself.
Dublin is my hometown and a place I love. I grew up in Raheny and went to St. Fintan’s High School in Sutton, a place which offered me a perfect balance of education and sport. The school and its supportive staff have benefited me far more than I ever could have imagined. From there, I pursued a degree in Communications in Dublin City University. At DCU, I was exposed to a whole new creative world where I could hone my interest and skills in social media, photography and learn about advertising and marketing.
Football has always been a core part of my life. I played throughout my studies, and upon graduating began playing professionally with Bohemian F.C. The League of Ireland was a little different back then, with most players working day jobs alongside training and matches. It was during this period that I got a part-time job working in a café for the first time at As One (which you’ll find featured in this book!). This job had a major impact on me, and my interest in coffee soon bloomed. So too did my curiosity for café spaces and the interplay between the space, the coffee and the experience. This curiosity would lead to the creation of DubStreetCafé, a project that looked to capture the essence of these special establishments.
Football continued to take centre-stage for me, and after spells playing with Longford Town and Sligo Rovers, I found my way back to Bohs. Playing for Bohemians was a true honour and a key part of my personal and professional journey. It has always been
Introduction | 3
more than a football club; it is a true cultural hub and a microcosm of Dublin at its very best. Immersing myself in the Bohs community helped me understand that sport, fashion, community, shared spaces and culture are more intrinsically linked than I had ever imagined.
It was off the back of this realisation that DubStreetCafé (and my other passion project DubStreetWear) were born. Even while pursuing a career in professional football, it was important to me to maintain an outlet for my creative practices.
After the Covid-19 lockdown, I felt compelled to explore Dublin again, a feeling I soon found was shared by many. I have always found comfort in the café as a third space – I spend a lot of time in them, whether that’s working away on my laptop or catching up with family or friends. The thoughtful design features and flow of these spaces has always fascinated me, so I began photographing café interiors and shop fronts. I set up an Instagram account as a platform to share these images, which quickly gained traction. I loved the simple act of sharing images, tagging the businesses and feeling the genuine appreciation from owners and regulars.
In creating the page, I knew I’d tapped into a real appetite of discovery for coffee shops and bakeries in Dublin. The only issue was that I’d found it difficult to keep up with the fast-paced world of social media and short-form content, a feeling shared with many café owners I’ve come to know. It was around this time that I was speaking with my friend Gianni Clifford – the brilliant designer behind the DubStreetCafé brand. As the creative force behind Kneecap’s visuals, Gianni brought a playful, distinctly Dublin energy to everything he creates, and he imbued the online project with that energy. Gianni’s Dublin Bricks project captured that same spirit perfectly. Much like myself, what began for him as a lockdown hobby – building Lego versions of Dublin’s pubs – grew into a joyful celebration of the city’s culture, humour, and community. During our conversation, I asked him ‘What would be a dream project to work on?’
4 | The Dublin Coffee Guide
‘The next one. If I can think of a project, then it likely already exists, someone’s done a good job on it. The dream needs to be the next idea, what pops into your head in the shower or on the morning run. That’s what excites me!’
This immediately got my mind working – I knew I wanted to produce something with the energy of the online project, but also something slower, more considered and a tangible object you can hold in your hands. This book is my attempt to do just that.
The Dublin Coffee Guide is a celebration of the people behind Dublin’s independent coffee scene, the hardworking and passionate people who take a risk to create new spaces for connections, experiences, good quality coffee and produce. In a tough landscape for small businesses, I want it to serve as a nod to everything they add to this great city. There is something truly special about Dublin’s coffee scene – in my opinion, it can often feel overshadowed by the city’s pub culture –these are places built on genuine connection, community and passion.
After conducting dozens of interviews with café owners, founders, staff and regulars in Dublin, one thing stood out: there’s a palpable sense of mutual respect and admiration among them. All agree it is far from easy, but the wins are found in community. These spaces are the hubs and meeting points dotted around the city where residents and visitors alike can connect with friends and strangers. In a world that is becoming more and more individualistic, compartmentalised and isolated, there is more of a need than ever for places to connect. It is an added bonus that these spaces happen to have some of the highest quality coffee and produce in the world! Dublin’s independent coffee culture must be protected and supported, and it is my hope that this book can archive and showcase some of the best in the game.
Introduction | 5
North Dublin City
Dublin 3, Dublin 7, Dublin 9, Dublin 11
The Little Cactus
Two Boys Brew
Bang Bang
Elliot’s Proper Order
Lilliput Stores
Sweeney’s D3 Urbanity
